Defense: Tamarack blaze was set unintentionally

WAWARSING — Lance Muckenhaupt didn't mean to set the Tamarack Lodge ablaze, according to his lawyer.

Michael Novinson

WAWARSING — Lance Muckenhaupt didn't mean to set the Tamarack Lodge ablaze, according to his lawyer.

Attorney Joe O'Connor said the Long Island businessman was trying to burn debris on April 7 when the 50-acre fire broke out, destroying 44 structures and leaving 18 people homeless. Muckenhaupt, 56, had put down a $25,000 deposit March 8 to purchase 50 acres of the classic Catskills resort.

Muckenhaupt is charged with arson, a felony, and several misdemeanors for burning brush without a permit. The fire he started was reportedly risky enough to constitute "a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe."

But O'Connor said Muckenhaupt's behavior wasn't reckless and that he had no reason to damage his future property.

Muckenhaupt's parcel contained architectural gems like the clubhouse and poolhouse, but the buildings had been condemned because of code violations.

Muckenhaupt is looking to develop a small boutique hotel on his chunk of the Tamarack, O'Connor said.

The prosecution and defense agreed Friday to report back to Wawarsing Judge Charles Dechon May 18 on the status of the case. The appearance took less than one minute.